"Jig": Video Clip from the 2010 Worlds

Last year at the 2010 World Championships, a video crew was following several high-profile dancers before, during and after their competitions. Dancers were told that a documentary movie would be released in 2011. A brief clip of the film, called "Jig", was released a few days ago. The official release date has not been confirmed, although as best as I can tell, it will be released in the UK only. If it is released at a later date in North America, or becomes available as a dvd for purchase, we will let you know! Click twice on the video above to create a full screen view.

Eire Born at the Raven

Thanks to all the Eire Born dancers and sound team for the performance last night at the Raven Pub in Deep Cove. Thank you Jennifer R for these photos!

NPIDA Spring Break in March

There will be a 2-week spring break in March for all dance classes at NPIDA. Beginning Monday March 14, there will be no classes in Richmond or North Van for 2 weeks. All classes will resume again beginning Monday March 28.

Reminders

1. Registration is open on feisworx for the following feiseanna:

- Van Eire Feis (Surrey): Feb. 26-27. Final day to register is Feb.11.

- Comerford Seattle Feis: March 5-6

- Emerald City Seattle Feis: March 26-27

- Penk O'Donnell Feis (Surrey): April 2-3

- Victoria Feis: May 7-8

2. NPIDA Kids-Only Movie Night fundraiser for our 2011 Worlds and All Irelands dancers is this Saturday night, February 12, at the studio in North Van, 6:00-9:00pm. Get your tickets ($10) from Christine B, Andrea C, Anne D, Rosalie D and Connie G. Full details in the Jan. 31 post below.

3. NPIDA Pub Night for our 2011 Worlds and All Irelands dancers is Saturday March 12 at the Buck & Ear. Get your tickets ($15) from the parents noted above. Full details in the Feb. 1 post below.

4. Bottle Recycling: Please save and drop off your bottles to help our dancers fundraise for Worlds, All Irelands, and Nationals! Full details in the Feb. 2 post below.

5. The 11th annual NPIDA Ceili and Year-End Show will take place on Saturday May 21 at Centennial Theatre. Dress rehearsal will take place at the theatre on Wednesday May 18.

Clip art from Google Images

Updates for Nationals Dancers

Thanks to Leanne A for noticing that IDTANA has provided some updated information for those dancers who will be attending the 2011 North American Irish Dance Championships, which will take place July 2-6 in Nashville.

Click here for a direct link: www.idtana.org

Happy Birthday Lisa!

I haven't previously posted birthday wishes to NPIDA dancers here on the blog, simply because it would be a very onerous task to keep track of 220+ individual birthdays! However, today I am making a special exception. Longtime NPIDA dancer Lisa Y is currently in Singapore for a term of university studies, so I thought it would be nice to send our collective birthday greetings to her halfway around the world. Happy 22nd Birthday Lisa, from all of your friends at NPIDA!

Photo: Lisa and brother Michael at the 2010 Oireachtas.

Bottle Recycling Fundraiser

Our 2011 Worlds and All Irelands families have arranged for an ongoing bottle recycling program to aid in their fundraising efforts, in addition to the upcoming Kids Movie Night and Adult Pub Night (see the posts directly below). They have set up accounts at 2 bottle recycling depots in Richmond and 2 depots in North Vancouver:

RICHMOND

1. Ironwood Bottle and Return-It Depot

(Account: "Nora Pickett Irish Dance")

11020 Horseshoe Way

Monday-Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm

Sunday and Holidays 10:00am-6:00pm

2. Steveston Bottle Depot

(Account: "Nora Pickett Irish Dance Academy")

2-12320 Trites Road

Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:30pm

Saturday/Sunday/Holidays 9:00am-4:00pm

NORTH VANCOUVER

1. North Vancouver Bottle and Return-It Depot

(Account: "Nora Pickett Irish Dance Academy Qualifiers")

310 Brooksbank Ave

Monday-Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm

Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm

2. North Shore Bottle Depot

(Account: "Nora Pickett Irish Dance Academy Qualifiers")

235 Donaghy Ave

Monday-Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm

Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm

Additionally, you can bring your bottles directly to the back parking lot of the Grand Ballroom in Richmond on these 2 dates: Wednesday Feb. 23, 3:30-5:30 and Monday April 4, 3:30-5:30.

Thanks for supporting our dancers with your bottle recycling donations! After Worlds in April, the bottle recycling program will continue at the above locations in order to support our 2011 North American Championship dancers who will be travelling to Nashville in early July.

Photo from Google Images

Pub Night Fundraiser on March 12

In addition to the kids-only Movie and Pizza Night (please see the post directly below), the families of our 6 Worlds and All Irelands dancers will be holding a Pub Night on Saturday March 12 at the Buck & Ear in Steveston (12111 Third Ave). These events have been planned as fundraisers to help our dancers offset the costs of travel to these major competitions in Ireland.

The pub night tickets are $15 and include a cheddar burger or veggie burger, chips, and a beer, glass of wine, or soft drink. There will be a 50/50 draw, some fabulous raffles, a toonie toss, and of course a performance by our Worlds and All Irelands dancers! The event begins at 6:30; food will be served between 7:00-8:30.

Please come out for a really fun night and show your support to Ellen, Mackenzie, Camryn, Macaela, Jessie and Shannon! You can purchase your Pub Night tickets and your Movie Night tickets from their moms; Anne, Andrea, Christine, Rosalie or Connie, beginning today in Richmond or tomorrow in North Van. Reminder: the Movie and Pizza Night for kids will take place on Saturday February 12! (see below for full details).

Coming tomorrow: Details of a bottle recycling fundraiser.

Clip art from Google Images.

Worlds & All Irelands Fundraiser: Movie Night

We have 5 dancers going to Dublin for the 2011 World Championships in April: Ellen D, sisters Mackenzie C and Camryn C, Macaela B, and Jessie H. As well, Shannon G is going to the All Irelands in late February in Killarney. As you can imagine, this is an expensive venture and these 5 families are planning some fundraising efforts to help offset some of their travel costs.

The first event is a Kids Movie and Pizza Night, which will take place at the NPIDA studio in North Vancouver on Saturday February 12 from 6:00-9:00pm. Your $10 ticket includes movie, popcorn, drink, pizza and loads of fun! There will be raffle draws, candy bags, and dancing! This movie night event is for kids only; NPIDA dancers, siblings and friends.

The movie being shown is the animated family comedy "Despicable Me". Click here for more information about the movie: www.imdb.com/title/tt1323594/

Please contact any of these parents for your tickets: Anne D (Ellen's mom), Andrea C (Mackenzie and Camryn's mom), Christine B (Macaela's mom), Rosalie D (Jessie's mom) or Connie G (Shannon's mom). I don't want to post their phone numbers on the blog so if you do not know how to reach them in person at the studio, please send me an e-mail and I will put you in touch via phone or e-mail: pickettlineblog(AT)hotmail.com

Tickets can also be purchased from Paula at the front desk of the NPIDA studio in North Van. Tickets will be available beginning Wednesday Feb. 2 in Richmond and Thursday Feb. 3 in North Van.

Meanwhile, NPIDA adults: mark your calendars for Saturday March 12 - that's the date for the Worlds and All Irelands Pub Night fundraiser at the Buck & Ear in Steveston. Please check back tomorrow for more details about that, as well as news about an ongoing bottle recycling fundraiser!

Clip art from Google Images.

Your 2011 EBIDS Executive

The Annual General Meeting of the Eire Born Irish Dance Society took place this morning at the NPIDA studio in North Vancouver. Thanks to those parents who attended! The 2011 budget was approved, Nora presented her annual report, and the 2011 EBIDS Board of Directors were elected.

Your 2011 EBIDS executive includes 6 returning Board members from 2010 and the addition of one new member, Connie G.

Left to right: Kelly S, Aileen B, Jay D, Andrea C, Sue M, Connie G, and Jennifer R. Thanks for your ongoing commitment to EBIDS and NPIDA!

Chinese New Year Show

Last night 20 Eire Born dancers performed at a Chinese New Year show in Richmond. Thanks to all the dancers (including our 3 guest dancers Michael, Kyla and Josie), the sound team, and Courtney for a memorable performance! Thank you Connie for these photos.

Dancers (in top photo):

Back Row: Camryn, Cara, Mikaela, Emma, Hanna, Michael, Catalina, Mackenzie, Maria, Laurel and Olivia.

Front row: Jadyn, Morgan, Jayne, Anna, Catharine, Gemma, Jessie, Kyla and Josie.

Upcoming Feis Dates

There are several feiseanna in Western Canada and Seattle over the next few months that are now open for registration on feisworx, as follows:

Feb. 19-20: Edmonton Feis (deadline is tomorrow)

Feb. 26-27: Van Eire Feis, Surrey

March 4-6: Possak Feis, Calgary

March 5-6: Comerford Seattle Feis

March 26-27: Emerald City Feis, Seattle

May 7-8: Victoria Feis

Also coming soon to feisworx; the Penk O'Donnell Feis (Vancouver) on April 2-3, and the Mattierin Feis (Alberta) on April 29-May 1.

Here's a direct link to feisworx: www.feisworx.com

Tights for Eire Born Dancers ** Edited **

Edited Thursday evening:
Kelly-Erin K of Irish Rocks has asked me to let you know that she also sells opaque black Pacelli tights, 70 dernier; the cost is $8 (definitely a lower price than the Diam tights described below). Thank you for this information Kelly!

A few years ago Nora requested that Eire Born dancers wear opaque black tights; this is her suggested brand. For newer dancers and parents; here is what the package looks like. Note that the denier (thickness/opacity) is 45. Lower number denier are too sheer. These DIAM tights come in 4 sizes based on height and weight.

I did notice that these tights and other brands are currently are on sale at The Bay ("Buy 1 pair, Get the 2nd pair at 50% off"); perhaps a good time to stock up before the upcoming St. Patrick's shows!

AGM on Sunday!

Don't forget: the Annual General Meeting of the Eire Born Irish Dance Society will be held this Sunday morning, January 30, at 11:00am. Location: the NPIDA dance studio at 105 Bowser Ave in North Vancouver. We hope to see you there!

Blakey Feis: Sunday Results

Many thanks to Jennifer R for these great photos of Mary and Shaun!

Mary M and Shaun K competed on Sunday at the Blakey Feis in Calgary. Congratulations to Mary for her 2 solo dance medals - a 1st and a 2nd - as well as her 3rd place trophy in the U-12 Novice-Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy Dance. Congratulations to Shaun for his 3rd-place medal in the U-8 Beginner Light Jig.

Blakey Feis: Saturday Results

Many thanks to Jennifer R who sent an update and these photos from the Blakey Feis in Calgary! We had 3 Preliminary Championship dancers competing today; Anna, Gemma and Laurel.

Anna placed 7th in her Soft Shoe and 3rd in her Set Dance against 16 competitors in U-12 Prelim; Gemma placed 5th in her Soft Shoe and 4th in her Set Dance against 14 competitors in U-13 Prelim, and also won a 4th-place trophy in the Slip Jig Special. Laurel danced beautifully against tough competition in her U-15 Prelim group. Congratulations girls!

Photos:

1. Anna, Laurel and Gemma

2. Gemma, Mary (she dances on Sunday) and Anna.

NPIDA Welcomes Queen Mary Students

We would like to extend a big WELCOME to the students of Queen Mary Elementary School in North Vancouver, 8 of whom began classes with NPIDA yesterday and will continue for the next 6 weeks. This community outreach program is a joint effort between NPIDA, Queen Mary School, and the North Shore Neighbourhood House, and will provide the experience of dance lessons to children who might otherwise not have the opportunity.

An article about this program was featured in the North Shore News on December 29/10. Click here for a direct link:
www.nsnews.com/story_print.html?id=4036604&sponsor

Photo of Queen Mary Elementary School from Google Images

Good Luck in Calgary!

NPIDA has 5 dancers competing at the Blakey Feis in Calgary this weekend. Good luck, safe travels and have fun to Anna M, Laurel S, Mary M, Gemma K, and Shaun K!

Photo from Google Images.

Eire Born at the Raven Pub

Many thanks to Jennifer R for this nice photo taken at the Raven Pub on Saturday night. Thanks to all the dancers, Nora, sound team and parents!

Back row: Cara, Laurel, Emma B, Mackenzie, Camryn, and Raven.

Front row: Rhiannon, Anna, Emma H, Gemma, Alannah, Julia, Jayne, Olivia and Nora.

A reminder as per the post directly below: Riverdance tickets go on sale at 10:00am this morning at www.ticketmaster.ca

Riverdance Coming to Vancouver

RIVERDANCE is coming to Vancouver from Tuesday April 5 to Sunday April 10, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets go on sale at 10:00am tomorrow morning (Monday January 17). Tickets are expensive, but are slightly cheaper for the matinees on Saturday April 9 and Sunday April 10. You can purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.ca See you there!

Photo from Google Images

Cheryl's Photos in Feis America

Here are 3 of Cheryl's Oireachtas photos that were published in the current issue of Feis America magazine. She had many more "podium" shots of dancers published that included lots of non-NPIDA dancers. Nice job Cheryl!

1. Our U-13 (Friday) recallers

2. Our 13+ (Saturday) recallers + Nora, Lisa and Courtney

3. Maya, Maria, Raven and Gemma.

Oireachtas Photos in Feis America

The current (January/February 2011) issue of Feis America magazine features an article about the 2010 Western Canadian Oireachtas, and the publisher chose a variety of photos submitted by Cheryl and Moira for publication. 19 of Cheryl's "podium" photos are included in the article - congratulations Cheryl ! - and these 4 of Moira's "candid" photos. Jadyn and Caitlin are also featured on the cover of this issue!

1. Anna, Jessie, Camryn and Macaela

2. Mackenzie, Emma, Catalina and Samantha

3. Alannah, Caitlin, Julia, Jadyn and Morgan

4. Kelsey (Stewart School), Alex, Michael and Hanna

(Kelsey is a longtime close friend of Hanna's and school classmate of Michael's; photo posted with her permission).

Heading to Ireland in 2011

NPIDA has 5 dancers planning to head to Dublin Ireland for the 2011 World Championships, which will take place from April 17-23. We had 6 dancers qualify for Worlds at the 2010 Oireachtas, and 5 have decided to attend (Michael has opted not to go); Nora will be accompanying them. Good luck with your training Ellen, Mackenzie, Macaela, Camryn and Jessie !

Also coming up are the 2011 All Ireland Championships, which Shannon will be attending. This event will take place in Killarney Ireland from February 13-21. There are no official qualifying rules for All Ireland competitors, although the calibre of dancing is comparable to Worlds. Nora announced at the 2009 EBIDS AGM that beginning in 2010, she would allow "any serious and hard-working Open Championship dancer to compete at All Irelands". Good luck Shannon !

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all the NPIDA families! Thank you for supporting the PickettLine Blog in 2010, and best wishes to all of you for much happiness, health, and continued dance success in 2011!!!

Clip art from Google Images.

Van Eire Feis 2011

After taking a year off due to the 2010 Olympics, the Van Eire Feis is back in 2011, with a date of February 26-27/11. Did you know that the Van Eire Traditional Dance Association is a non-profit organization comprised of members from 6 local Irish dance schools - including NPIDA? The mandate of Van Eire is to promote Irish dance and culture in BC's lower mainland.

The feis will be held at North Surrey Secondary School (same venue as the DeDanaan Feis in October 2010). Registration is now open on feisworx; please complete your own registration and mail your payment and page 1 of your form to the address provided on the syllabus; the deadline is February 10/11. All Championships will take place on Saturday; all non-Championships (Pre-Beginner to Prizewinner) will take place on Sunday.

Click here for a direct link to feisworx: www.feisworx.com

Photo from the archives: Kimberly, Hanna and Lisa at the Van Eire Feis 4 years ago, with their Prelim trophies and bouquets.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing all the wonderful NPIDA families a relaxing and festive holiday season, filled with peace, love, joy and friendship!!!

Photo from Google Images

Special Subscription Offer from Feis America

Kathleen O, publisher of Feis America Magazine, has e-mailed to advise of a special holiday offer: a limited-time special "Mini Subscription" (3 issues) at 50% off the regular full-year (6 issues) subscription price. You will also receive a gift certificate (pdf) via e-mail that you can print off and present to the recipient at Christmas.

Your mini-subscription will include the upcoming January/February 2011 issue, which features photos and information from the Western Canadian Oireachtas! Cheryl G and Moira S both submitted Oireachtas photos which have been selected for publication in this issue.

This offer is only good up 'til 12:00 noon EST on December 24. To order, click below for a direct link to the subscription section of the Feis America website. Underneath the "Choose Term/Country" tab, scroll down to "Mini CN: 3 issues". (Of course, if you wish to order a regular full year subscription - 6 issues - you can chose that option!)

www.blogsgate.com/feisamerica/subscribe

Future North American Championship Cities

For those of you who like to do some really long-term planning - here are the host regions and cities of the North American Championships from 2011 to 2019, as recently determined by IDTANA. (Of course, changes are always possible; please consider this a tentative list!)

2011: City - Nashville. Host - IDTANA

2012: City - Chicago. Host - Mid-America

2013: City - Anaheim. Host - Western USA

2014: City - Montreal. Host - Eastern Canada

2015: City - Providence. Host - NE USA

2016: City - *Orlando. Host - Southern USA

(* "different venue than 2010")

2017: City - New Orleans. Host - Mid-Atlantic USA

2018: City - *Orlando. Host - IDTANA

(* "different venue than 2010 and 2016")

2019: City - To be determined. Host - Western Canada!

Photos from Google Images

Buck Show: December 17

Many thanks to Sue M for submitting these photos, taken at the Buck on Friday night. As always, thanks to the dancers, sound team and parents, along with Courtney! This was the final Eire Born show until the new year. Thanks to everyone within NPIDA who participated in Eire Born shows in 2010! Happy Holidays!

Dancers (in top photo, left to right):

Catharine, Mikaela, Shannon, Courtney, Caitlin, Jessie, Catalina, Jadyn, Morgan and Macaela.

North Van Oireachtas Recallers

Many thanks to Cheryl G for these beautiful photos of the NPIDA Oireachtas recallers from North Vancouver.

1. Back row: Mackenzie, Ellen, Maya and Cara. Front row: Jessi, Camryn, Olivia and Julia.

2. The dancers joined by teachers Rebecca, Courtney and Nora.